Kojiro remained silent for a while, regaining his composure. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he asked, "Though it's surprising, how should I address you, master?"
"Old man… Kinoshita Hideyoshi. Just call me Hideyoshi," came the calm reply from the brown-haired beauty, her tone confident and free-spirited.
The swordsman in blue narrowed his eyes, quickly coming to terms with his surprise. He chuckled, "I see. No wonder I found you somewhat familiar. It makes your summoning of me less unexpected."
"Mr. Sasaki, do you know why I didn't summon Musashi?"
"Yes, master, you resemble my late friend Toyotomi Hideyoshi by eight or nine parts…"
"Who is Toyotomi Hideyoshi?"
Hideyoshi scratched her head, her expression a bit lost.
It was well-known that her history grades were worse than those of some elementary school students; she was a complete klutz.
"…That's a long story."
Kojiro smiled silently, looking up at the pale moon, his expression complicated.
---
"Hey Klutz? That's the famed general Toyotomi Hideyoshi from the Warring States period!"
In this otherworldly scene, a brown-haired girl slightly complained.
Even Asuna, the internet-addicted girl, knew that this was Hideyoshi's old name.
Who would've thought there were still people unaware of such common knowledge?
He's the renowned warrior who's considered one of the three heroes of the Warring States, who implemented the separation of soldiers and farmers, ended the chaos, and unified Japan!
"Shouldn't we be more concerned about how Kojiro knows Toyotomi Hideyoshi?"
Kisaragi Hanasaku remarked.
Tachibana Mari pondered, "Kojiro is a legendary swordsman from folklore, while Toyotomi Hideyoshi is a historical figure. The two shouldn't be related at all."
"No, while it is somewhat unbelievable, they indeed lived in the same era," Houtarou Oreki replied calmly. "Hideyoshi was born in 1536 and died on September 18, 1598, during the late Warring States period."
"Though the details of Sasaki Kojiro are sparse, we can deduce his age through the timeline of his battles with Musashi. Musashi was born in 1584…"
"When Kojiro faced the young Musashi, he was already over sixty."
"In other words, Sasaki must have been born around 1544, approximately forty years before Musashi, which is just eight years after Hideyoshi's birth."
"Both remarkable figures from the same era in Japan; it's not surprising they know each other."
"Now it makes sense."
Everyone nodded in realization.
So this was why Kinoshita Hideyoshi had prepared Musashi's relic but ended up summoning Sasaki Kojiro?
With such similar surnames and appearances, summoning a friend wouldn't be out of the ordinary.
"Wait, does that mean the legendary warrior Toyotomi Hideyoshi is actually a trap?"
Someone suddenly shouted, their shock echoing through the air.
In an instant, all chatter ceased as everyone turned to that direction in stunned silence.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi as a beautiful trap?
The thought was too vivid to comprehend…
"What trap? That's my wife!!"
The foolish beauty Akihisa shouted loudly, shattering the silence.
"He's not a trap; Hideyoshi's gender is just Hideyoshi!!" the equally foolish Yuji retorted.
"Scary… a cross-dresser enthusiast, huh?"
With a mutter from a green-haired loli, everyone involuntarily shuddered, glancing at each other and subtly distancing themselves from the two.
---
The serene, haunting BGM drowned out their conversation.
Only when the brown-haired beauty suddenly understood did the sound return.
["So that's how it is… and then?"]
["Then, I went to the mountains to seek the ultimate swordsmanship and lost contact with Toyotomi."]
Upon hearing this, Kinoshita Hideyoshi expressed some regret, "What a shame."
["I don't think so."]
Kojiro shrugged nonchalantly, a carefree smile on his face. "A swordsman has a lifespan. To pursue the infinite through our limited years is the essence of our daily training, until the moment we achieve the ultimate blade."
["If I had Sasaki's persistence, perhaps I would have had a chance at true mastery now…"]
Hideyoshi sighed, looking at the swordsman with newfound respect.
["Just call me Kojiro, master."]
Kojiro replied with a calm smile, leaving it at that.
---
"Come on, tell us the rest!"
"What exactly happened between Sasaki Kojiro and Toyotomi Hideyoshi?!"
"I hate when people leave us hanging like this…"
"Is this another riddle?"
"We still don't know what the pangolin said that day…"
"So what did the pangolin say?!"
"Doesn't matter; the script will provide the answer."
As people across the world grumbled, the scene continued.
["Kojiro, may I see your skills?"]
"Since the master wishes to see, I have no qualms about showcasing my abilities."
The blue-clad swordsman smiled lightly, as the panel of his servant appeared in response to Hideyoshi's astonished gaze.
Height/Weight: 176cm · 63kg
Source: Historical Fact
Region: Japan
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Gender: Male
"Whoever has killed a person is evil."
Strength: C
Endurance: D
Agility: A+
Magic: E
Luck: A
Noble Phantasm: None
Class Ability—Presence Concealment: D
Possessed Skills—Mystic Eyes (False): A
This skill grants a near sixth sense for combat, allowing the user to make optimal judgments effortlessly.
Transparency: B+
With a mind as clear and still as water, the user remains unaffected by mental interference.
Experience of Zen: B
No matter how many times the user has battled an opponent, their attacks remain undetectable; the opponent's perception is forever akin to the first encounter.
Tsubame Gaeshi
Rank: -
Type: Anti-Human Sword
Maximum Target: 1 person
A sword that guarantees a hit in the second law of magic, impossible to block in close combat; no matter how one attempts to evade, they will inevitably be struck.
"Impressive… truly worthy of the Sword Saint!"
Hideyoshi exclaimed, her face blossoming into a confident smile. "Kozuki, we're sure to win."
Kozuki's expression turned serious. "I will give it my all."
The scene gradually faded, accompanied by serene background music, transitioning to the next servant.
---
"Don't jinx it!"
In the realm of the heavens, Kinoshita Hideyoshi covered her face, expressing her sorrowful frustration. She could already envision herself confidently stepping forward, only to end up with a swollen face.
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